I've written before about how I am sometimes too hard on myself, how I'm always trying to strive for perfection. I recently read an article online about Alison Sweeney, the host of The Biggest Loser. Here is a snippet from that article.
A self-professed type A personality, Alison, in her quest for perfection, often prevented herself from trying new things. "If I couldn't be number one or go superfast, I'd give up and not do it at all," she admits. "But I'm learning I can have fun and be proud of myself, even if I'm not the best. Medium speed is okay too!"
Letting go of perfect has been liberating. "It's a positive cycle. You take care of your body, and the next thing you know, you're taking better care of your career and the people you love," Alison says. "With each new accomplishment, I think, Wow, what can I do next?"
Letting go of perfect...I love it! In fact, I like that phrase so much I think it's going to become my own personal motto.
Since I'm now "letting go of perfect", I'm happy to report that over the holidays I only gained 2.8 pounds. And yes, I'm happy with that number. Of course I'd be happier if it was a loss instead of a gain, but let's be honest...I love Christmas and with Christmas comes not-so-healthy food choices and a lack of motivation to exercise! And unfortunately being sick over the holidays took a lot out of me!! I'm still huffing and puffing when I climb the stairs to work each morning. But the holidays are behind us and it's a new year with new goals...and now a new motto!
So what about you? What motto are you striving to live by?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year!
Welcome 2013! I'm very excited for a new year. Not that 2012 was bad, but a new year means a new chapter in my book. I'm not big on New Year's resolutions. I guess I don't think a person should have to wait until a new year to make changes in their lives. However, because I am a very goal oriented person, a "To-do List Maker" of sorts, I am going to have a so-called New Year's resolution for 2013. However, I'm going to call it a goal rather than a resolution.
So here's my take on goals. I think a long term goal is essential in life. You have to have something you're working towards, even if it's something as simple as cleaning out the closets in your house. My long term goal for 2013 is to reach that 100 pounds lost mark. That's a lot, I know...75 more pounds, in fact. But I believe in myself.
Now, long term goals are great, but in order to feel a sense of accomplishment during the next year, I believe short term goals are also very essential. I honestly believe that if people don't set short term goals that lead to accomplishing a long term goal they will quit. Once that person gets off course, possibly even just once, their odds of getting back on course are slim. Too many times in life people quit because they don't celebrate the small accomplishments.
That's why I think Weight Watchers is such a great weight loss program. They celebrate with you every 5 pounds! So even if I were to just consider Weight Watchers, I would be able to celebrate accomplishing short term 5 pound goals TWENTY times!!! Not to mention the other things they celebrate: different percentages lost, being a member for so long, lifetime goal, etc. I know, it's a plug for Weight Watchers, but hey...it's worked for so many, why can't it work for you?
I have many goals that I want to accomplish throughout the year. My first short term goal is to start and finish the Insanity workout, and do the workout to the best of my ability every day. I need to push myself harder than I have in the past if I really want to benefit from such an amazing workout. I can do this!!!
My other short term goals aren't necessarily workout related, so I truly believe I can work on them at the same time without the fear of setting myself up for failure. Goals like eating out less often, eating less sweets, trying new foods and recipes, and taking some of my traditional recipes and swapping ingredients to make them healthier. Another goal I want to work on every month is to get my children involved in all aspects of a healthier lifestyle. Emma is old enough to get in on the cooking aspect, and we can all go downstairs and do Zumba or Just Dance on the Wii...not to mention boxing, now THAT'S a workout!!!
Honestly all of these are just decisions. Once the decision is made to do it, it's done. So why am I sharing these ideas with you? Well, if someone else knows my goals I have no other choice but to stay accountable. For example, last month when I decided pop had no health benefit for me and I just needed to quit drinking it, I told many people about my decision. Every single time an opportunity came up for me to have pop, I thought about all those people who could potentially say, "I knew she couldn't do it." Today I haven't had pop in 4 weeks, 2 1/2 days.
So here's to 2013. May this year be filled with better decisions leading to goals accomplished, with good health, and with great fun!!!
So here's my take on goals. I think a long term goal is essential in life. You have to have something you're working towards, even if it's something as simple as cleaning out the closets in your house. My long term goal for 2013 is to reach that 100 pounds lost mark. That's a lot, I know...75 more pounds, in fact. But I believe in myself.
Now, long term goals are great, but in order to feel a sense of accomplishment during the next year, I believe short term goals are also very essential. I honestly believe that if people don't set short term goals that lead to accomplishing a long term goal they will quit. Once that person gets off course, possibly even just once, their odds of getting back on course are slim. Too many times in life people quit because they don't celebrate the small accomplishments.
That's why I think Weight Watchers is such a great weight loss program. They celebrate with you every 5 pounds! So even if I were to just consider Weight Watchers, I would be able to celebrate accomplishing short term 5 pound goals TWENTY times!!! Not to mention the other things they celebrate: different percentages lost, being a member for so long, lifetime goal, etc. I know, it's a plug for Weight Watchers, but hey...it's worked for so many, why can't it work for you?
I have many goals that I want to accomplish throughout the year. My first short term goal is to start and finish the Insanity workout, and do the workout to the best of my ability every day. I need to push myself harder than I have in the past if I really want to benefit from such an amazing workout. I can do this!!!
My other short term goals aren't necessarily workout related, so I truly believe I can work on them at the same time without the fear of setting myself up for failure. Goals like eating out less often, eating less sweets, trying new foods and recipes, and taking some of my traditional recipes and swapping ingredients to make them healthier. Another goal I want to work on every month is to get my children involved in all aspects of a healthier lifestyle. Emma is old enough to get in on the cooking aspect, and we can all go downstairs and do Zumba or Just Dance on the Wii...not to mention boxing, now THAT'S a workout!!!
Honestly all of these are just decisions. Once the decision is made to do it, it's done. So why am I sharing these ideas with you? Well, if someone else knows my goals I have no other choice but to stay accountable. For example, last month when I decided pop had no health benefit for me and I just needed to quit drinking it, I told many people about my decision. Every single time an opportunity came up for me to have pop, I thought about all those people who could potentially say, "I knew she couldn't do it." Today I haven't had pop in 4 weeks, 2 1/2 days.
So here's to 2013. May this year be filled with better decisions leading to goals accomplished, with good health, and with great fun!!!
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